We headed over to Jackson Hole, Wyoming last weekend for some family camping, running race, and Father's Day. The weather was cooler then expected but mountain weather is always variable (hence it's snowing in Ketchum right now).

Thursday, June 5, 2014

Determined to help our garden thrive this summer during our short Idaho growing season, Zach dedicated a weekend to putting in a drip system and hoop houses in our garden beds. Being the scientist in the family he has been testing the soil temperatures, analyzing the water spread, and looking at the different sun exposures throughout the day, beer in hand.

The scientist in his lab.

I'm hoping this means for a bountiful Fall but knowing that we still have two small children (whom think it's hilarious to chase each other around the garden beds creating the perfect opportunity to punch a hole in the new hoop houses) I'm not holding my breath or inviting the neighborhood over for Thanksgiving dinner just yet.

Thursday, December 12, 2013

Missed November posting so rolling right into December. Lot's happening around our house. We continue to fight the crude with different runny noses, fevers, and aches but we battle on!

Lately, we've introduced Elf on the Shelf in our house (and at Yaya's). If you don't know what this is you must not have kids that believe in Santa. It's a doll (boy or girl, black or white) that comes with a book that explains that Santa knows if you are good or bad from this little Elf's help. The child names the elf and then it is placed in different locations around the house to watch until Christmas Day.

Our elf is creatively named "Elfie" and is slowly catching Dax's interest. This vertically challenged friend of Santa is beyond popular with parents lately. Marketing genius! Can't consider yourself a good parent unless you get one. I've heard some funny stories about what different elves get into around the house, including snow angels in flour, undecorating the Christmas tree (bad idea!) and hiding in creative spots. But my favorite involved an elf that used the potty and left a peppermint in the toilet as it's droppings (thanks Aunt Addie). Since our mostly potty trained 2-1/2 year old doesn't want to leave his peppermint dropping in the potty every morning, daddy and I thought we may be able to get Elfie's help.

We put Elfie on top of the toilet lid and placed a marshmallow in the bowl (much safer to flush then hard candy). When Dax woke up this morning we excitedly found Elfie in the bathroom. Unfortunately, that's where the excitement ended.

"NO!!!!", Dax yelled out when discovering what Elfie had done, "I don't want Elfie in the bathroom!"

"Look Dax. Elfie went potty in the toilet", I responded with excitement.

"NO! I don't want him there", he repeated and rushed over to grab him.

"NO!", I yelled repeating my two year old.

"You are not suppose to touch Elfie! His magic powers will go away", I announced as he grabbed his leg and tried to fling him across the room.

"He is here to help you go potty", I said trying to convince myself as I'm thinking it would be a little weird to have an elf watching me use the potty.

"Fine", he stomped off in defeat and decided he didn't want to talk about it anymore.

Elfie sat on top of the toilet smiling gaily as I wondered why this didn't work at 6am in the morning. Needless to say we didn't see any more peppermints or marshmallows in the toilet that morning.

I can't decide if Elfie is helping us this holiday season or being pushed upon my two year old. I can't totally blame him. Pretty sure I wouldn't want an elf watching me in the bathroom. Maybe next year he will remember the trauma we put him through on this first year and fall into general fear and respect for Santa's little tattle tale. Or maybe when he is 21 he can laugh about how his parents tried to make him believe in a silly little doll like the rest of his friends. Either way we have a two year old and are willing to try anything to get him to believe in us... I mean Elfie, and then hopefully convince his little brother next year.

Zach's grandfather turned 90 this past weekend and we traveled down to Ogden to celebrate. What a guy! Nothing is slowing him down at his age. He drove his new Prius to the restaurant that he ordered online and I just emailed him before putting up this post. He has so many stories and amazing qualities, I feel lucky that my boys may inherit a unique quality from him :)